Understanding the Anatomy of an Adult's Teeth: Types and Count

The typical adult human has 32 teeth. These teeth are divided into four types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

* Incisors are the eight front teeth, four on the top and four on the bottom. They are used for biting and cutting food.

* Canines are the four pointed teeth, two on the top and two on the bottom. They are used for tearing food.

* Premolars are the eight teeth behind the canines, four on the top and four on the bottom. They are used for grinding food.

* Molars are the twelve teeth at the back of the mouth, six on the top and six on the bottom. They are used for grinding food.

Wisdom teeth are the four molars at the very back of the mouth. They usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Not everyone has wisdom teeth, and they can sometimes be impacted, meaning they do not erupt properly.